Frieda Kaleel MPS
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[post_content] => Genevieve Adamo MPS did not set out to work in poisons information. After beginning her career in community pharmacy as an assistant pharmacist and progressing into management, Ms Adamo joined the New South Wales Poisons Information Centre in 2004.
‘I sort of fell into poisons,’ she said. ‘After having a few children, I had some time off and wanted to do something where I was learning again.’
Each call is different, providing a continuous learning opportunity, said Ms Adamo, who took on a role with the National Poisons Register in 2023.
‘You don’t know what you’re going to get at the end of the phone when you pick it up,’ she added.
Because so many of the calls to the poisons centre related to medicines poisoning, whether overdoses or errors, being a pharmacist is a distinct advantage.
‘We have really extensive knowledge of the drugs, as well as a really good base in physiology and pharmacology,’ Ms Adamo said.
[caption id="attachment_18818" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Genevieve Adamo MPS (Image: Steve Christo Photography)[/caption]
Here, she outlines what’s needed to enter and flourish in the space, as told to delegates at PSA’s Voices of Pharmacy – Passion, Purpose and Possibility webinar, held on 26 November 2025.
Core skills for poisons information practice
Poisons information demands a distinct skill set, combining deep scientific knowledge with the ability to work confidently under pressure. Calls are often urgent, information may be incomplete and decisions must be made quickly.
‘Every call provides a clinical problem that you’ve got to solve. Many of which there’s no clear answer,’ Ms Adamo said. ‘And we can't always look something up in a reference [because] not everything is listed there.’
Because it’s neither ethical nor feasible to conduct controlled trials in poisoning, evidence gaps are common.
‘We can’t go and poison a whole lot of people to create clinical trials to find the answers for poisoning questions. We have to wait until these situations happen and then turn those into research themselves,’ she said. ‘So because of that, we often have to go back to basics, and use those pharmacology principles we learned way back in uni.’
This includes:
‘You’ve got to get all the history, work out what you know, look things up and provide advice all within about 5 minutes.' Genevieve Adamo MPS‘We all have the ability to be involved in research, because we're recruiting patients through our calls,’ Ms Adamo said. ‘Our staff also create new guidelines for education and training, supporting both external poisoning prevention initiatives and the ongoing training of new and existing staff.’ Another major function is toxicovigilance – the systematic monitoring of poisoning trends with a focus on prevention and risk reduction. ‘That can involve all sorts of things [including] media and education,’ she said. ‘There’s often a lot of number crunching as well, and then working with regulators to change the laws to restrict access, because we know that one of the best ways to minimise harm and exposures is to restrict access.’ A key scheduling change Ms Adamo and her team were involved in was the changes to paracetamol regulations that were ushered in early last year. ‘We were contracted by the TGA to collect extra information about all the paracetamol calls we got,’ Ms Adamo said. ‘Paracetamol calls are the most common call to the poison centre every year, and all of that information was collated by our Head of Research and our consultant toxicologists – with the report used as the basis for the proposed scheduling changes that occurred.’ Sometimes individual cases can lead to broader system change. ‘I was involved in a case with a mum whose little one got really sick, and it was eventually worked out that it was a chronic choline salicylate toxicity,’ she said. ‘She couldn’t believe she’d been giving this poison to her kid and didn’t realise it was poisonous, because she bought it from [a supermarket] and thought it must be safe.’ In response, Adamo submitted an application to reschedule choline salicylate to Schedule 2. ‘Now it has to have more labelling, and it can only be available in a pharmacy,’ she said. ‘Those are the really interesting and rewarding aspects of poisoning work.’ For pharmacists considering the field, Ms Adamo believes the appeal lies in its tangible public health impact – shaping national safety standards and preventing future harm, particularly among children. ‘You know the work you’re doing actually changes outcomes.’ Read PSA’s Medicine Safety: Child and adolescent care report to understand the key poisoning risks and how pharmacists can help mitigate them. [post_title] => How pharmacists can prepare for poisons information roles [post_excerpt] => Poisons information pharmacists turn individual calls into population-level insights that inform regulatory and scheduling decisions. [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => how-pharmacists-can-prepare-for-poisons-information-roles [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2026-02-02 18:25:34 [post_modified_gmt] => 2026-02-02 07:25:34 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://www.australianpharmacist.com.au/?p=31254 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [title_attribute] => How pharmacists can prepare for poisons information roles [title] => How pharmacists can prepare for poisons information roles [href] => https://www.australianpharmacist.com.au/how-pharmacists-can-prepare-for-poisons-information-roles/ [module_atts:td_module:private] => Array ( ) [td_review:protected] => Array ( ) [is_review:protected] => [post_thumb_id:protected] => 31258 [authorType] => )
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[post_content] => Victoria Chisari MPS is an early career pharmacist and researcher on the move, working across clinical areas of practice to hone her skills.
What’s beneficial about learning different specialties in pharmacy?
Each specialty offers a unique focus, with the learning from each area building upon the others to create a comprehensive understanding of clinical pharmacy service delivery.
I am currently a clinical pharmacist with Western Sydney Local Health District and a research team member and practice change facilitator at the University of Technology Sydney. But I have worked in many different clinical roles. My experience in the intensive care unit, for example, helped develop my ability to review acutely unwell patients – including those with infections, trauma, respiratory failure and organ failure.
In this setting, I managed a diverse range of critically ill patients with complex medicines regimens – involving supportive therapies such as inotropes and vasopressors, sedation
and antimicrobials.
My practice involved designing individualised treatment plans for patients, particularly those receiving extracorporeal therapies such as renal replacement therapy and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.
This background informed my practice in the emergency department, where sound clinical reasoning was vital to delivering effective advice and interventions in fast-paced, high-
pressure situations.
Can you describe your global research review of pharmacist-prescribed contraception services?
In response to barriers accessing contraception, such as the need for a prescription, pharmacist-prescribed contraception has been widely implemented and one common model of care delivers this service using clinical protocols. The review highlighted that the overall scope of these services includes both the prescribing (initiating) and continuation of various contraceptive methods, such as oral contraceptive pills, vaginal rings, transdermal patches and injections. A key finding was that the scope of practice varies internationally, depending on local authorisation and regulatory frameworks.
It was recognised that while conceptually, the clinical protocol is one part of the intervention, education is another important part of the overall provision of care.
This includes recognition of the importance of both foundational education and additional training for pharmacists.
It was evident that authorising pharmacists to prescribe and continue a range of contraception options ultimately offers the best access for women.
At the same time, pharmacist education and training is an important part of the broader piece in pharmacist prescribing – particularly in the current Australian context, as pharmacist prescribing continues to develop and expand.
Your advice for other early ECPs interested in clinical pharmacy?
Seek out opportunities to broaden your knowledge and skills.
If you’re a pharmacy student or ECP interested in hospital pharmacy, look for courses, mentorship programs and professional development opportunities that align with your goals.
Hospital pharmacy is dynamic, exciting and rewarding – there’s a lot to learn and a lot that we as pharmacists can contribute to.
Ask questions and say yes to challenges that push you to grow. Be curious, be kind and keep learning.
[post_title] => Expanding clinical judgement beyond a single specialty
[post_excerpt] => Victoria Chisari MPS is an early career pharmacist and researcher on the move, working across clinical areas of practice to hone her skills.
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[post_content] => Australia's Minister for Health has announced a National Medicines Record. What is it, and what will it achieve?
Medicine safety has long depended on pharmacists making critical decisions with incomplete information. As prescribing becomes increasingly fragmented across face-to-face care, telehealth and digital platforms, those gaps are widening – with serious consequences for patients.
Reforms announced by Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler this morning aim to address this issue, eventually leading to a National Medicines Record.
The announcement follows advocacy by Alison Collins after the death of her daughter Erin, who died in 2024 after being prescribed medicines through multiple digital health platforms without a complete view of her medical history.
Erin’s story
Erin was 24 years old and had been taking multiple medicines for her mental health. She had been hospitalised multiple times for problems stemming from medicine misuse and was placed on daily staged supply pickup of her medicines.
The hospital care teams were so concerned they placed multiple warning messages in her My Health Record. However, these warnings were not accessed by telehealth services or local pharmacies prior to her fatal overdose.
Erin’s case highlighted systemic vulnerabilities that pharmacists have warned about for years, particularly as digital prescribing expands faster than the safeguards designed to support safe, coordinated care.
The first step
Initially, the reforms would require all medicines information from online prescribers to be uploaded to My Health Record For pharmacists, this will make a fuller picture of all the medicines a patient has been prescribed more visible. This is critical given the increasing number of prescribers an individual may have with the rise of telehealth and condition-specific providers.
Under the proposed changes, medicines prescribed and dispensed through online platforms – including the clinical context for prescribing – would be made available through My Health Record. This is intended to help reduce the risk of medicine errors, adverse drug reactions and inappropriate use by ensuring healthcare professionals have access to more complete and timely information.
The path to a National Medicines Record
The reforms also commit the Government to designing and developing a National Medicines Record using existing digital health infrastructure, including electronic prescribing, the Active Script List and My Health Record.
While details are still emerging, the proposal has the potential to address a core challenge for pharmacists: how to identify and resolve medicines-related risks without a reliable, up-to-date picture of a patient’s full medicines history.
Welcoming the announcement, PSA National President Professor Mark Naunton MPS noted it aligns with the profession's long standing advocacy.
'Pharmacists have consistently sought better-connected digital health systems to improve patient safety with medicines. It’s something PSA has been advocating for over many years, including through our flagship medicine safety report series,” Prof. Naunton said.
'Access to a more complete and reliable medicines record has the potential to significantly improve patient safety and strengthen clinical decision-making.'
'The announcement is fully aligned with PSA’s ongoing advocacy to improve medicines safety systems and ensure pharmacists are supported as medicines experts across all settings of care,' he continued.
'PSA will engage in the consultation for these proposals and continue to work with the Government to support system improvements that make medicine use in Australia safer.'
A consultation period is now underway to guide the inclusion of medicines information from all online prescribers by default, with the first phase expected to be completed by December 2026. The Government has also flagged ongoing enhancements to the 1800MEDICARE app to support medicines management.
[post_title] => What a National Medicines Record might mean for patient safety and pharmacy practice
[post_excerpt] => Australia's Minister for Health has announced a National Medicines Record. What is it, and what will it achieve?
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[post_content] => Community pharmacist Deborah Williams reflects on 7 years working at the Chemist Warehouse Australian Open pop-up pharmacy, sharing what makes event-based practice unique, the presentations she sees most often, and why adaptability is essential outside the traditional pharmacy setting.
How is running a pop-up pharmacy at the Australian Open different from your day-to-day practice?
The pop-up pharmacy at the Australian Open (AO) differs from practising in a community pharmacy such as Eltham, primarily because of the tools and therapeutic options available.
At the AO, we don’t have access to Schedule 4 medicines, and there are even additional restrictions imposed on over-the-counter medicines by the tournament. Certain Pharmacist Only products we would routinely recommend in a community setting aren’t permitted, particularly medicines that may cause drowsiness or could be perceived as performance-enhancing. This significantly changes how symptom management is approached.
The patient demographic is also very different. We see a large number of international visitors and cruise passengers who may only be in Australia briefly and often present with immediate, short-term needs – for example, sleep disruption, pain, minor illness, dehydration or general discomfort after long travel. There are frequent situations where a medicine that would be clinically appropriate in a normal pharmacy setting simply isn’t an option at the AO, so you have to think laterally and focus on non-sedating, non-restricted alternatives and practical advice. The pop-up pharmacy also operates with a deliberately limited range selection, so you rely far more on clinical judgement, counselling and problem-solving than product depth.
Despite these constraints, the service has been extremely well received. In earlier years, many people were genuinely surprised that a pharmacy service was available at all, and the level of appreciation was very high. Over time, as the service has become established, patrons have come to actively expect that level of healthcare support onsite – which speaks to how valuable it has proven to be.
Ultimately, while the setting is very different, the core role remains the same: providing accessible, safe short-term healthcare support. At the AO, that simply requires a more adaptive and creative approach within tighter boundaries.
Why did you first put your hand up for this roster 7 years ago?
Largely because tennis is a big part of our family life. My two daughters are avid tennis players, and I’ve spent a lot of time travelling with them to tournaments – both around Australia and internationally. So the opportunity to be involved in the AO and to experience tennis from a different perspective was very appealing.
At the time, the chance to be part of a pop-up pharmacy within a major sporting event felt unique. Working in an environment where the energy is high and where people are genuinely excited to be there was a strong motivator. It also offered the opportunity to step outside the traditional four walls of community pharmacy and apply my skills in a different, fast-paced setting.
[caption id="attachment_31227" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Deborah Williams at the Chemist Warehouse Australian Open pop-up pharmacy[/caption]
I’ve previously worked as a pharmacist at other large-scale events, including the Grand Prix and the Colour Run, and I’ve always enjoyed that style of practice. You see different patient groups and presentations, and there’s a strong focus on immediate, practical healthcare support. Combining that type of work with a sport that’s already such a big part of my life made the AO an easy decision.
What are the most common presentations you deal with?
They vary from year to year, often reflecting broader environmental and public health factors.
In early years, respiratory presentations were prominent, with high demand for salbutamol due to smoke exposure following severe bushfires. During the COVID-19 pandemic, testing-related requests and symptomatic presentations dominated, with many people seeking advice for fever, cough, fatigue and isolation management. Across all years, heat-related conditions are consistently common. We see significant sunburn, dehydration, headaches and heat exhaustion – with many patrons initially attributing symptoms solely to sun exposure. Being able to distinguish between sunburn, heat exhaustion and early heat stroke is a critical part of the role.
Other frequent presentations include viral infections, gastrointestinal upset, reflux and heartburn related to food and alcohol consumption – as well as general pain and discomfort from long days on site.
Overall, the role involves managing acute, short-term presentations in a high-heat, high-activity environment, where timely assessment, clear advice and appropriate escalation are essential.
What has been your best experience working at the AO?
The cumulative nature of the role over many years. Being invited back repeatedly reflects the value of having pharmacists in a high-profile, high-pressure environment.
But one particularly rewarding aspect has been the behind-the-scenes clinical role. While players rarely attend the pharmacy, their support staff and assistants frequently seek advice on their behalf. That often involves real-time discussions, sometimes over the phone, where clinical judgement, clarity and discretion are critical. The trust placed in pharmacists in those moments is significant.
Knowing that the advice provided may contribute, even in a small way, to a player’s comfort, recovery or ability to perform is professionally satisfying. It reinforces the role of pharmacists as accessible healthcare professionals who can deliver practical, timely support in environments where precision matters.
What are the most popular products with tennis fans?
Those that address the practical realities of spending long hours outdoors and walking significant distances, often in warm conditions.
Blister management products are consistently in high demand, particularly protective dressings and treatments for foot friction. Sun exposure also drives strong demand for post-sunburn and skin-soothing treatments, as well as products to manage heat-related discomfort.
Gastrointestinal support is another common category, with antacid and reflux treatments frequently requested, often related to food choices, heat and prolonged time on site.
Hydration support products are also very popular, particularly oral rehydration formulations for patrons experiencing fatigue, headaches or dehydration. Simple analgesics for pain and headache management are frequently requested as well.
‘Knowing that the advice provided may contribute, even in a small way, to a player’s comfort, recovery or ability to perform is professionally satisfying.'
deborah williams
And convenient nutritional snacks, particularly protein bars, are consistently popular, reflecting the need for quick, portable options that support energy levels throughout the day. Personal care essentials such as deodorant are also commonly requested, given the length and physical nature of the event.
Who is your favourite tennis player?
For many years my favourite player was Rafael Nadal. Beyond his extraordinary achievements on court, what stood out most was his character. He has a genuine never-say-die attitude, combined with humility and respect for everyone around him. Behind the scenes he was approachable, carried his own bags, acknowledged volunteers and staff, and treated people with quiet respect – which left a lasting impression.
More recently, I’ve really enjoyed watching Alex de Minaur. His speed, work rate and relentless court coverage are exceptional – and he brings an intensity and competitiveness that’s exciting to watch. He represents a very grounded, hardworking style of tennis that resonates strongly with Australian fans.
Do you have any tips for pharmacists working at the AO this summer?
Embrace the environment and enjoy the opportunity to practise pharmacy in a different setting. The atmosphere is energetic and positive, and people genuinely want your advice, making the role both enjoyable and rewarding.
From a professional perspective, be prepared to think beyond products. With a diverse, transient population, many interactions involve problem-solving rather than dispensing. That may mean offering practical health advice, directing people to appropriate medical services, or helping them navigate local healthcare options.
It’s also important to remember that you are representing both your profession and the event itself, so clear communication, professionalism and sound judgement matter. Finally, take the time to experience the event. Use breaks to watch some tennis or explore the precinct. Being part of the Australian Open is a unique opportunity, and enjoying the atmosphere helps you bring energy and perspective back into your role.
[post_title] => Pharmacy on centre court
[post_excerpt] => Limited medicines options and time-critical presentations push pharmacists at the Australian Open to practise at the top of their skills.
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[post_content] => The PSA congratulates Emeritus Professor Colin Burton Chapman and Dipak Sanghvi of Victoria on being appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) as part of the 2026 Australia Day Honours.
Emeritus Prof Colin Chapman has been recognised with the AM for significant service to pharmacy and pharmaceutical science research, education and practice.
Mr Sanghvi was recognised with the AM for significant service to community health through governance and board roles.
The PSA also extended its congratulations to Rhys Hollington London, Bruce Vincent Townsend, and Maurice Alan Renshaw on being awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).
Mr Hollington London has been recognised with the OAM for service to the community of Wynyard, Tasmania.
Mr Townsend was recognised with the OAM for service to the community of Raymond Terrace, NSW.
Mr Renshaw, also from NSW, was recognised with the OAM for service to the pharmaceutical industry.
The PSA National President Professor Mark Naunton MPS acknowledged the high honour of this recognition and thanked the recipients for their previous and ongoing contributions to the pharmacy profession.
‘It is evident that pharmacists play a vital role in their communities and the healthcare system. To have multiple pharmacists recognised on the prestigious Australia Day Honours List is a phenomenal outcome,’ Prof Naunton said.
‘On behalf of PSA and the pharmacy profession, I would like to extend my congratulations to Emeritus Prof Chapman, Mr Sanghvi, Mr Hollington London, Mr Vincent and Mr Renshaw on their well-deserved recognition.’
[post_title] => National recognition for pharmacists on Australia Day
[post_excerpt] => The PSA congratulates the pharmacists who were recognised as part on this year's Australia Day Honours List.
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[post_content] => Genevieve Adamo MPS did not set out to work in poisons information. After beginning her career in community pharmacy as an assistant pharmacist and progressing into management, Ms Adamo joined the New South Wales Poisons Information Centre in 2004.
‘I sort of fell into poisons,’ she said. ‘After having a few children, I had some time off and wanted to do something where I was learning again.’
Each call is different, providing a continuous learning opportunity, said Ms Adamo, who took on a role with the National Poisons Register in 2023.
‘You don’t know what you’re going to get at the end of the phone when you pick it up,’ she added.
Because so many of the calls to the poisons centre related to medicines poisoning, whether overdoses or errors, being a pharmacist is a distinct advantage.
‘We have really extensive knowledge of the drugs, as well as a really good base in physiology and pharmacology,’ Ms Adamo said.
[caption id="attachment_18818" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Genevieve Adamo MPS (Image: Steve Christo Photography)[/caption]
Here, she outlines what’s needed to enter and flourish in the space, as told to delegates at PSA’s Voices of Pharmacy – Passion, Purpose and Possibility webinar, held on 26 November 2025.
Core skills for poisons information practice
Poisons information demands a distinct skill set, combining deep scientific knowledge with the ability to work confidently under pressure. Calls are often urgent, information may be incomplete and decisions must be made quickly.
‘Every call provides a clinical problem that you’ve got to solve. Many of which there’s no clear answer,’ Ms Adamo said. ‘And we can't always look something up in a reference [because] not everything is listed there.’
Because it’s neither ethical nor feasible to conduct controlled trials in poisoning, evidence gaps are common.
‘We can’t go and poison a whole lot of people to create clinical trials to find the answers for poisoning questions. We have to wait until these situations happen and then turn those into research themselves,’ she said. ‘So because of that, we often have to go back to basics, and use those pharmacology principles we learned way back in uni.’
This includes:
‘You’ve got to get all the history, work out what you know, look things up and provide advice all within about 5 minutes.' Genevieve Adamo MPS‘We all have the ability to be involved in research, because we're recruiting patients through our calls,’ Ms Adamo said. ‘Our staff also create new guidelines for education and training, supporting both external poisoning prevention initiatives and the ongoing training of new and existing staff.’ Another major function is toxicovigilance – the systematic monitoring of poisoning trends with a focus on prevention and risk reduction. ‘That can involve all sorts of things [including] media and education,’ she said. ‘There’s often a lot of number crunching as well, and then working with regulators to change the laws to restrict access, because we know that one of the best ways to minimise harm and exposures is to restrict access.’ A key scheduling change Ms Adamo and her team were involved in was the changes to paracetamol regulations that were ushered in early last year. ‘We were contracted by the TGA to collect extra information about all the paracetamol calls we got,’ Ms Adamo said. ‘Paracetamol calls are the most common call to the poison centre every year, and all of that information was collated by our Head of Research and our consultant toxicologists – with the report used as the basis for the proposed scheduling changes that occurred.’ Sometimes individual cases can lead to broader system change. ‘I was involved in a case with a mum whose little one got really sick, and it was eventually worked out that it was a chronic choline salicylate toxicity,’ she said. ‘She couldn’t believe she’d been giving this poison to her kid and didn’t realise it was poisonous, because she bought it from [a supermarket] and thought it must be safe.’ In response, Adamo submitted an application to reschedule choline salicylate to Schedule 2. ‘Now it has to have more labelling, and it can only be available in a pharmacy,’ she said. ‘Those are the really interesting and rewarding aspects of poisoning work.’ For pharmacists considering the field, Ms Adamo believes the appeal lies in its tangible public health impact – shaping national safety standards and preventing future harm, particularly among children. ‘You know the work you’re doing actually changes outcomes.’ Read PSA’s Medicine Safety: Child and adolescent care report to understand the key poisoning risks and how pharmacists can help mitigate them. [post_title] => How pharmacists can prepare for poisons information roles [post_excerpt] => Poisons information pharmacists turn individual calls into population-level insights that inform regulatory and scheduling decisions. [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => how-pharmacists-can-prepare-for-poisons-information-roles [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2026-02-02 18:25:34 [post_modified_gmt] => 2026-02-02 07:25:34 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://www.australianpharmacist.com.au/?p=31254 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [title_attribute] => How pharmacists can prepare for poisons information roles [title] => How pharmacists can prepare for poisons information roles [href] => https://www.australianpharmacist.com.au/how-pharmacists-can-prepare-for-poisons-information-roles/ [module_atts:td_module:private] => Array ( ) [td_review:protected] => Array ( ) [is_review:protected] => [post_thumb_id:protected] => 31258 [authorType] => )
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[post_content] => Victoria Chisari MPS is an early career pharmacist and researcher on the move, working across clinical areas of practice to hone her skills.
What’s beneficial about learning different specialties in pharmacy?
Each specialty offers a unique focus, with the learning from each area building upon the others to create a comprehensive understanding of clinical pharmacy service delivery.
I am currently a clinical pharmacist with Western Sydney Local Health District and a research team member and practice change facilitator at the University of Technology Sydney. But I have worked in many different clinical roles. My experience in the intensive care unit, for example, helped develop my ability to review acutely unwell patients – including those with infections, trauma, respiratory failure and organ failure.
In this setting, I managed a diverse range of critically ill patients with complex medicines regimens – involving supportive therapies such as inotropes and vasopressors, sedation
and antimicrobials.
My practice involved designing individualised treatment plans for patients, particularly those receiving extracorporeal therapies such as renal replacement therapy and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.
This background informed my practice in the emergency department, where sound clinical reasoning was vital to delivering effective advice and interventions in fast-paced, high-
pressure situations.
Can you describe your global research review of pharmacist-prescribed contraception services?
In response to barriers accessing contraception, such as the need for a prescription, pharmacist-prescribed contraception has been widely implemented and one common model of care delivers this service using clinical protocols. The review highlighted that the overall scope of these services includes both the prescribing (initiating) and continuation of various contraceptive methods, such as oral contraceptive pills, vaginal rings, transdermal patches and injections. A key finding was that the scope of practice varies internationally, depending on local authorisation and regulatory frameworks.
It was recognised that while conceptually, the clinical protocol is one part of the intervention, education is another important part of the overall provision of care.
This includes recognition of the importance of both foundational education and additional training for pharmacists.
It was evident that authorising pharmacists to prescribe and continue a range of contraception options ultimately offers the best access for women.
At the same time, pharmacist education and training is an important part of the broader piece in pharmacist prescribing – particularly in the current Australian context, as pharmacist prescribing continues to develop and expand.
Your advice for other early ECPs interested in clinical pharmacy?
Seek out opportunities to broaden your knowledge and skills.
If you’re a pharmacy student or ECP interested in hospital pharmacy, look for courses, mentorship programs and professional development opportunities that align with your goals.
Hospital pharmacy is dynamic, exciting and rewarding – there’s a lot to learn and a lot that we as pharmacists can contribute to.
Ask questions and say yes to challenges that push you to grow. Be curious, be kind and keep learning.
[post_title] => Expanding clinical judgement beyond a single specialty
[post_excerpt] => Victoria Chisari MPS is an early career pharmacist and researcher on the move, working across clinical areas of practice to hone her skills.
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[post_content] => Australia's Minister for Health has announced a National Medicines Record. What is it, and what will it achieve?
Medicine safety has long depended on pharmacists making critical decisions with incomplete information. As prescribing becomes increasingly fragmented across face-to-face care, telehealth and digital platforms, those gaps are widening – with serious consequences for patients.
Reforms announced by Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler this morning aim to address this issue, eventually leading to a National Medicines Record.
The announcement follows advocacy by Alison Collins after the death of her daughter Erin, who died in 2024 after being prescribed medicines through multiple digital health platforms without a complete view of her medical history.
Erin’s story
Erin was 24 years old and had been taking multiple medicines for her mental health. She had been hospitalised multiple times for problems stemming from medicine misuse and was placed on daily staged supply pickup of her medicines.
The hospital care teams were so concerned they placed multiple warning messages in her My Health Record. However, these warnings were not accessed by telehealth services or local pharmacies prior to her fatal overdose.
Erin’s case highlighted systemic vulnerabilities that pharmacists have warned about for years, particularly as digital prescribing expands faster than the safeguards designed to support safe, coordinated care.
The first step
Initially, the reforms would require all medicines information from online prescribers to be uploaded to My Health Record For pharmacists, this will make a fuller picture of all the medicines a patient has been prescribed more visible. This is critical given the increasing number of prescribers an individual may have with the rise of telehealth and condition-specific providers.
Under the proposed changes, medicines prescribed and dispensed through online platforms – including the clinical context for prescribing – would be made available through My Health Record. This is intended to help reduce the risk of medicine errors, adverse drug reactions and inappropriate use by ensuring healthcare professionals have access to more complete and timely information.
The path to a National Medicines Record
The reforms also commit the Government to designing and developing a National Medicines Record using existing digital health infrastructure, including electronic prescribing, the Active Script List and My Health Record.
While details are still emerging, the proposal has the potential to address a core challenge for pharmacists: how to identify and resolve medicines-related risks without a reliable, up-to-date picture of a patient’s full medicines history.
Welcoming the announcement, PSA National President Professor Mark Naunton MPS noted it aligns with the profession's long standing advocacy.
'Pharmacists have consistently sought better-connected digital health systems to improve patient safety with medicines. It’s something PSA has been advocating for over many years, including through our flagship medicine safety report series,” Prof. Naunton said.
'Access to a more complete and reliable medicines record has the potential to significantly improve patient safety and strengthen clinical decision-making.'
'The announcement is fully aligned with PSA’s ongoing advocacy to improve medicines safety systems and ensure pharmacists are supported as medicines experts across all settings of care,' he continued.
'PSA will engage in the consultation for these proposals and continue to work with the Government to support system improvements that make medicine use in Australia safer.'
A consultation period is now underway to guide the inclusion of medicines information from all online prescribers by default, with the first phase expected to be completed by December 2026. The Government has also flagged ongoing enhancements to the 1800MEDICARE app to support medicines management.
[post_title] => What a National Medicines Record might mean for patient safety and pharmacy practice
[post_excerpt] => Australia's Minister for Health has announced a National Medicines Record. What is it, and what will it achieve?
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[post_content] => Community pharmacist Deborah Williams reflects on 7 years working at the Chemist Warehouse Australian Open pop-up pharmacy, sharing what makes event-based practice unique, the presentations she sees most often, and why adaptability is essential outside the traditional pharmacy setting.
How is running a pop-up pharmacy at the Australian Open different from your day-to-day practice?
The pop-up pharmacy at the Australian Open (AO) differs from practising in a community pharmacy such as Eltham, primarily because of the tools and therapeutic options available.
At the AO, we don’t have access to Schedule 4 medicines, and there are even additional restrictions imposed on over-the-counter medicines by the tournament. Certain Pharmacist Only products we would routinely recommend in a community setting aren’t permitted, particularly medicines that may cause drowsiness or could be perceived as performance-enhancing. This significantly changes how symptom management is approached.
The patient demographic is also very different. We see a large number of international visitors and cruise passengers who may only be in Australia briefly and often present with immediate, short-term needs – for example, sleep disruption, pain, minor illness, dehydration or general discomfort after long travel. There are frequent situations where a medicine that would be clinically appropriate in a normal pharmacy setting simply isn’t an option at the AO, so you have to think laterally and focus on non-sedating, non-restricted alternatives and practical advice. The pop-up pharmacy also operates with a deliberately limited range selection, so you rely far more on clinical judgement, counselling and problem-solving than product depth.
Despite these constraints, the service has been extremely well received. In earlier years, many people were genuinely surprised that a pharmacy service was available at all, and the level of appreciation was very high. Over time, as the service has become established, patrons have come to actively expect that level of healthcare support onsite – which speaks to how valuable it has proven to be.
Ultimately, while the setting is very different, the core role remains the same: providing accessible, safe short-term healthcare support. At the AO, that simply requires a more adaptive and creative approach within tighter boundaries.
Why did you first put your hand up for this roster 7 years ago?
Largely because tennis is a big part of our family life. My two daughters are avid tennis players, and I’ve spent a lot of time travelling with them to tournaments – both around Australia and internationally. So the opportunity to be involved in the AO and to experience tennis from a different perspective was very appealing.
At the time, the chance to be part of a pop-up pharmacy within a major sporting event felt unique. Working in an environment where the energy is high and where people are genuinely excited to be there was a strong motivator. It also offered the opportunity to step outside the traditional four walls of community pharmacy and apply my skills in a different, fast-paced setting.
[caption id="attachment_31227" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Deborah Williams at the Chemist Warehouse Australian Open pop-up pharmacy[/caption]
I’ve previously worked as a pharmacist at other large-scale events, including the Grand Prix and the Colour Run, and I’ve always enjoyed that style of practice. You see different patient groups and presentations, and there’s a strong focus on immediate, practical healthcare support. Combining that type of work with a sport that’s already such a big part of my life made the AO an easy decision.
What are the most common presentations you deal with?
They vary from year to year, often reflecting broader environmental and public health factors.
In early years, respiratory presentations were prominent, with high demand for salbutamol due to smoke exposure following severe bushfires. During the COVID-19 pandemic, testing-related requests and symptomatic presentations dominated, with many people seeking advice for fever, cough, fatigue and isolation management. Across all years, heat-related conditions are consistently common. We see significant sunburn, dehydration, headaches and heat exhaustion – with many patrons initially attributing symptoms solely to sun exposure. Being able to distinguish between sunburn, heat exhaustion and early heat stroke is a critical part of the role.
Other frequent presentations include viral infections, gastrointestinal upset, reflux and heartburn related to food and alcohol consumption – as well as general pain and discomfort from long days on site.
Overall, the role involves managing acute, short-term presentations in a high-heat, high-activity environment, where timely assessment, clear advice and appropriate escalation are essential.
What has been your best experience working at the AO?
The cumulative nature of the role over many years. Being invited back repeatedly reflects the value of having pharmacists in a high-profile, high-pressure environment.
But one particularly rewarding aspect has been the behind-the-scenes clinical role. While players rarely attend the pharmacy, their support staff and assistants frequently seek advice on their behalf. That often involves real-time discussions, sometimes over the phone, where clinical judgement, clarity and discretion are critical. The trust placed in pharmacists in those moments is significant.
Knowing that the advice provided may contribute, even in a small way, to a player’s comfort, recovery or ability to perform is professionally satisfying. It reinforces the role of pharmacists as accessible healthcare professionals who can deliver practical, timely support in environments where precision matters.
What are the most popular products with tennis fans?
Those that address the practical realities of spending long hours outdoors and walking significant distances, often in warm conditions.
Blister management products are consistently in high demand, particularly protective dressings and treatments for foot friction. Sun exposure also drives strong demand for post-sunburn and skin-soothing treatments, as well as products to manage heat-related discomfort.
Gastrointestinal support is another common category, with antacid and reflux treatments frequently requested, often related to food choices, heat and prolonged time on site.
Hydration support products are also very popular, particularly oral rehydration formulations for patrons experiencing fatigue, headaches or dehydration. Simple analgesics for pain and headache management are frequently requested as well.
‘Knowing that the advice provided may contribute, even in a small way, to a player’s comfort, recovery or ability to perform is professionally satisfying.'
deborah williams
And convenient nutritional snacks, particularly protein bars, are consistently popular, reflecting the need for quick, portable options that support energy levels throughout the day. Personal care essentials such as deodorant are also commonly requested, given the length and physical nature of the event.
Who is your favourite tennis player?
For many years my favourite player was Rafael Nadal. Beyond his extraordinary achievements on court, what stood out most was his character. He has a genuine never-say-die attitude, combined with humility and respect for everyone around him. Behind the scenes he was approachable, carried his own bags, acknowledged volunteers and staff, and treated people with quiet respect – which left a lasting impression.
More recently, I’ve really enjoyed watching Alex de Minaur. His speed, work rate and relentless court coverage are exceptional – and he brings an intensity and competitiveness that’s exciting to watch. He represents a very grounded, hardworking style of tennis that resonates strongly with Australian fans.
Do you have any tips for pharmacists working at the AO this summer?
Embrace the environment and enjoy the opportunity to practise pharmacy in a different setting. The atmosphere is energetic and positive, and people genuinely want your advice, making the role both enjoyable and rewarding.
From a professional perspective, be prepared to think beyond products. With a diverse, transient population, many interactions involve problem-solving rather than dispensing. That may mean offering practical health advice, directing people to appropriate medical services, or helping them navigate local healthcare options.
It’s also important to remember that you are representing both your profession and the event itself, so clear communication, professionalism and sound judgement matter. Finally, take the time to experience the event. Use breaks to watch some tennis or explore the precinct. Being part of the Australian Open is a unique opportunity, and enjoying the atmosphere helps you bring energy and perspective back into your role.
[post_title] => Pharmacy on centre court
[post_excerpt] => Limited medicines options and time-critical presentations push pharmacists at the Australian Open to practise at the top of their skills.
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[post_content] => The PSA congratulates Emeritus Professor Colin Burton Chapman and Dipak Sanghvi of Victoria on being appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) as part of the 2026 Australia Day Honours.
Emeritus Prof Colin Chapman has been recognised with the AM for significant service to pharmacy and pharmaceutical science research, education and practice.
Mr Sanghvi was recognised with the AM for significant service to community health through governance and board roles.
The PSA also extended its congratulations to Rhys Hollington London, Bruce Vincent Townsend, and Maurice Alan Renshaw on being awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).
Mr Hollington London has been recognised with the OAM for service to the community of Wynyard, Tasmania.
Mr Townsend was recognised with the OAM for service to the community of Raymond Terrace, NSW.
Mr Renshaw, also from NSW, was recognised with the OAM for service to the pharmaceutical industry.
The PSA National President Professor Mark Naunton MPS acknowledged the high honour of this recognition and thanked the recipients for their previous and ongoing contributions to the pharmacy profession.
‘It is evident that pharmacists play a vital role in their communities and the healthcare system. To have multiple pharmacists recognised on the prestigious Australia Day Honours List is a phenomenal outcome,’ Prof Naunton said.
‘On behalf of PSA and the pharmacy profession, I would like to extend my congratulations to Emeritus Prof Chapman, Mr Sanghvi, Mr Hollington London, Mr Vincent and Mr Renshaw on their well-deserved recognition.’
[post_title] => National recognition for pharmacists on Australia Day
[post_excerpt] => The PSA congratulates the pharmacists who were recognised as part on this year's Australia Day Honours List.
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[post_content] => Genevieve Adamo MPS did not set out to work in poisons information. After beginning her career in community pharmacy as an assistant pharmacist and progressing into management, Ms Adamo joined the New South Wales Poisons Information Centre in 2004.
‘I sort of fell into poisons,’ she said. ‘After having a few children, I had some time off and wanted to do something where I was learning again.’
Each call is different, providing a continuous learning opportunity, said Ms Adamo, who took on a role with the National Poisons Register in 2023.
‘You don’t know what you’re going to get at the end of the phone when you pick it up,’ she added.
Because so many of the calls to the poisons centre related to medicines poisoning, whether overdoses or errors, being a pharmacist is a distinct advantage.
‘We have really extensive knowledge of the drugs, as well as a really good base in physiology and pharmacology,’ Ms Adamo said.
[caption id="attachment_18818" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Genevieve Adamo MPS (Image: Steve Christo Photography)[/caption]
Here, she outlines what’s needed to enter and flourish in the space, as told to delegates at PSA’s Voices of Pharmacy – Passion, Purpose and Possibility webinar, held on 26 November 2025.
Core skills for poisons information practice
Poisons information demands a distinct skill set, combining deep scientific knowledge with the ability to work confidently under pressure. Calls are often urgent, information may be incomplete and decisions must be made quickly.
‘Every call provides a clinical problem that you’ve got to solve. Many of which there’s no clear answer,’ Ms Adamo said. ‘And we can't always look something up in a reference [because] not everything is listed there.’
Because it’s neither ethical nor feasible to conduct controlled trials in poisoning, evidence gaps are common.
‘We can’t go and poison a whole lot of people to create clinical trials to find the answers for poisoning questions. We have to wait until these situations happen and then turn those into research themselves,’ she said. ‘So because of that, we often have to go back to basics, and use those pharmacology principles we learned way back in uni.’
This includes:
‘You’ve got to get all the history, work out what you know, look things up and provide advice all within about 5 minutes.' Genevieve Adamo MPS‘We all have the ability to be involved in research, because we're recruiting patients through our calls,’ Ms Adamo said. ‘Our staff also create new guidelines for education and training, supporting both external poisoning prevention initiatives and the ongoing training of new and existing staff.’ Another major function is toxicovigilance – the systematic monitoring of poisoning trends with a focus on prevention and risk reduction. ‘That can involve all sorts of things [including] media and education,’ she said. ‘There’s often a lot of number crunching as well, and then working with regulators to change the laws to restrict access, because we know that one of the best ways to minimise harm and exposures is to restrict access.’ A key scheduling change Ms Adamo and her team were involved in was the changes to paracetamol regulations that were ushered in early last year. ‘We were contracted by the TGA to collect extra information about all the paracetamol calls we got,’ Ms Adamo said. ‘Paracetamol calls are the most common call to the poison centre every year, and all of that information was collated by our Head of Research and our consultant toxicologists – with the report used as the basis for the proposed scheduling changes that occurred.’ Sometimes individual cases can lead to broader system change. ‘I was involved in a case with a mum whose little one got really sick, and it was eventually worked out that it was a chronic choline salicylate toxicity,’ she said. ‘She couldn’t believe she’d been giving this poison to her kid and didn’t realise it was poisonous, because she bought it from [a supermarket] and thought it must be safe.’ In response, Adamo submitted an application to reschedule choline salicylate to Schedule 2. ‘Now it has to have more labelling, and it can only be available in a pharmacy,’ she said. ‘Those are the really interesting and rewarding aspects of poisoning work.’ For pharmacists considering the field, Ms Adamo believes the appeal lies in its tangible public health impact – shaping national safety standards and preventing future harm, particularly among children. ‘You know the work you’re doing actually changes outcomes.’ Read PSA’s Medicine Safety: Child and adolescent care report to understand the key poisoning risks and how pharmacists can help mitigate them. [post_title] => How pharmacists can prepare for poisons information roles [post_excerpt] => Poisons information pharmacists turn individual calls into population-level insights that inform regulatory and scheduling decisions. [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => how-pharmacists-can-prepare-for-poisons-information-roles [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2026-02-02 18:25:34 [post_modified_gmt] => 2026-02-02 07:25:34 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://www.australianpharmacist.com.au/?p=31254 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [title_attribute] => How pharmacists can prepare for poisons information roles [title] => How pharmacists can prepare for poisons information roles [href] => https://www.australianpharmacist.com.au/how-pharmacists-can-prepare-for-poisons-information-roles/ [module_atts:td_module:private] => Array ( ) [td_review:protected] => Array ( ) [is_review:protected] => [post_thumb_id:protected] => 31258 [authorType] => )
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[post_content] => Victoria Chisari MPS is an early career pharmacist and researcher on the move, working across clinical areas of practice to hone her skills.
What’s beneficial about learning different specialties in pharmacy?
Each specialty offers a unique focus, with the learning from each area building upon the others to create a comprehensive understanding of clinical pharmacy service delivery.
I am currently a clinical pharmacist with Western Sydney Local Health District and a research team member and practice change facilitator at the University of Technology Sydney. But I have worked in many different clinical roles. My experience in the intensive care unit, for example, helped develop my ability to review acutely unwell patients – including those with infections, trauma, respiratory failure and organ failure.
In this setting, I managed a diverse range of critically ill patients with complex medicines regimens – involving supportive therapies such as inotropes and vasopressors, sedation
and antimicrobials.
My practice involved designing individualised treatment plans for patients, particularly those receiving extracorporeal therapies such as renal replacement therapy and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.
This background informed my practice in the emergency department, where sound clinical reasoning was vital to delivering effective advice and interventions in fast-paced, high-
pressure situations.
Can you describe your global research review of pharmacist-prescribed contraception services?
In response to barriers accessing contraception, such as the need for a prescription, pharmacist-prescribed contraception has been widely implemented and one common model of care delivers this service using clinical protocols. The review highlighted that the overall scope of these services includes both the prescribing (initiating) and continuation of various contraceptive methods, such as oral contraceptive pills, vaginal rings, transdermal patches and injections. A key finding was that the scope of practice varies internationally, depending on local authorisation and regulatory frameworks.
It was recognised that while conceptually, the clinical protocol is one part of the intervention, education is another important part of the overall provision of care.
This includes recognition of the importance of both foundational education and additional training for pharmacists.
It was evident that authorising pharmacists to prescribe and continue a range of contraception options ultimately offers the best access for women.
At the same time, pharmacist education and training is an important part of the broader piece in pharmacist prescribing – particularly in the current Australian context, as pharmacist prescribing continues to develop and expand.
Your advice for other early ECPs interested in clinical pharmacy?
Seek out opportunities to broaden your knowledge and skills.
If you’re a pharmacy student or ECP interested in hospital pharmacy, look for courses, mentorship programs and professional development opportunities that align with your goals.
Hospital pharmacy is dynamic, exciting and rewarding – there’s a lot to learn and a lot that we as pharmacists can contribute to.
Ask questions and say yes to challenges that push you to grow. Be curious, be kind and keep learning.
[post_title] => Expanding clinical judgement beyond a single specialty
[post_excerpt] => Victoria Chisari MPS is an early career pharmacist and researcher on the move, working across clinical areas of practice to hone her skills.
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[post_content] => Australia's Minister for Health has announced a National Medicines Record. What is it, and what will it achieve?
Medicine safety has long depended on pharmacists making critical decisions with incomplete information. As prescribing becomes increasingly fragmented across face-to-face care, telehealth and digital platforms, those gaps are widening – with serious consequences for patients.
Reforms announced by Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler this morning aim to address this issue, eventually leading to a National Medicines Record.
The announcement follows advocacy by Alison Collins after the death of her daughter Erin, who died in 2024 after being prescribed medicines through multiple digital health platforms without a complete view of her medical history.
Erin’s story
Erin was 24 years old and had been taking multiple medicines for her mental health. She had been hospitalised multiple times for problems stemming from medicine misuse and was placed on daily staged supply pickup of her medicines.
The hospital care teams were so concerned they placed multiple warning messages in her My Health Record. However, these warnings were not accessed by telehealth services or local pharmacies prior to her fatal overdose.
Erin’s case highlighted systemic vulnerabilities that pharmacists have warned about for years, particularly as digital prescribing expands faster than the safeguards designed to support safe, coordinated care.
The first step
Initially, the reforms would require all medicines information from online prescribers to be uploaded to My Health Record For pharmacists, this will make a fuller picture of all the medicines a patient has been prescribed more visible. This is critical given the increasing number of prescribers an individual may have with the rise of telehealth and condition-specific providers.
Under the proposed changes, medicines prescribed and dispensed through online platforms – including the clinical context for prescribing – would be made available through My Health Record. This is intended to help reduce the risk of medicine errors, adverse drug reactions and inappropriate use by ensuring healthcare professionals have access to more complete and timely information.
The path to a National Medicines Record
The reforms also commit the Government to designing and developing a National Medicines Record using existing digital health infrastructure, including electronic prescribing, the Active Script List and My Health Record.
While details are still emerging, the proposal has the potential to address a core challenge for pharmacists: how to identify and resolve medicines-related risks without a reliable, up-to-date picture of a patient’s full medicines history.
Welcoming the announcement, PSA National President Professor Mark Naunton MPS noted it aligns with the profession's long standing advocacy.
'Pharmacists have consistently sought better-connected digital health systems to improve patient safety with medicines. It’s something PSA has been advocating for over many years, including through our flagship medicine safety report series,” Prof. Naunton said.
'Access to a more complete and reliable medicines record has the potential to significantly improve patient safety and strengthen clinical decision-making.'
'The announcement is fully aligned with PSA’s ongoing advocacy to improve medicines safety systems and ensure pharmacists are supported as medicines experts across all settings of care,' he continued.
'PSA will engage in the consultation for these proposals and continue to work with the Government to support system improvements that make medicine use in Australia safer.'
A consultation period is now underway to guide the inclusion of medicines information from all online prescribers by default, with the first phase expected to be completed by December 2026. The Government has also flagged ongoing enhancements to the 1800MEDICARE app to support medicines management.
[post_title] => What a National Medicines Record might mean for patient safety and pharmacy practice
[post_excerpt] => Australia's Minister for Health has announced a National Medicines Record. What is it, and what will it achieve?
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[post_content] => Community pharmacist Deborah Williams reflects on 7 years working at the Chemist Warehouse Australian Open pop-up pharmacy, sharing what makes event-based practice unique, the presentations she sees most often, and why adaptability is essential outside the traditional pharmacy setting.
How is running a pop-up pharmacy at the Australian Open different from your day-to-day practice?
The pop-up pharmacy at the Australian Open (AO) differs from practising in a community pharmacy such as Eltham, primarily because of the tools and therapeutic options available.
At the AO, we don’t have access to Schedule 4 medicines, and there are even additional restrictions imposed on over-the-counter medicines by the tournament. Certain Pharmacist Only products we would routinely recommend in a community setting aren’t permitted, particularly medicines that may cause drowsiness or could be perceived as performance-enhancing. This significantly changes how symptom management is approached.
The patient demographic is also very different. We see a large number of international visitors and cruise passengers who may only be in Australia briefly and often present with immediate, short-term needs – for example, sleep disruption, pain, minor illness, dehydration or general discomfort after long travel. There are frequent situations where a medicine that would be clinically appropriate in a normal pharmacy setting simply isn’t an option at the AO, so you have to think laterally and focus on non-sedating, non-restricted alternatives and practical advice. The pop-up pharmacy also operates with a deliberately limited range selection, so you rely far more on clinical judgement, counselling and problem-solving than product depth.
Despite these constraints, the service has been extremely well received. In earlier years, many people were genuinely surprised that a pharmacy service was available at all, and the level of appreciation was very high. Over time, as the service has become established, patrons have come to actively expect that level of healthcare support onsite – which speaks to how valuable it has proven to be.
Ultimately, while the setting is very different, the core role remains the same: providing accessible, safe short-term healthcare support. At the AO, that simply requires a more adaptive and creative approach within tighter boundaries.
Why did you first put your hand up for this roster 7 years ago?
Largely because tennis is a big part of our family life. My two daughters are avid tennis players, and I’ve spent a lot of time travelling with them to tournaments – both around Australia and internationally. So the opportunity to be involved in the AO and to experience tennis from a different perspective was very appealing.
At the time, the chance to be part of a pop-up pharmacy within a major sporting event felt unique. Working in an environment where the energy is high and where people are genuinely excited to be there was a strong motivator. It also offered the opportunity to step outside the traditional four walls of community pharmacy and apply my skills in a different, fast-paced setting.
[caption id="attachment_31227" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Deborah Williams at the Chemist Warehouse Australian Open pop-up pharmacy[/caption]
I’ve previously worked as a pharmacist at other large-scale events, including the Grand Prix and the Colour Run, and I’ve always enjoyed that style of practice. You see different patient groups and presentations, and there’s a strong focus on immediate, practical healthcare support. Combining that type of work with a sport that’s already such a big part of my life made the AO an easy decision.
What are the most common presentations you deal with?
They vary from year to year, often reflecting broader environmental and public health factors.
In early years, respiratory presentations were prominent, with high demand for salbutamol due to smoke exposure following severe bushfires. During the COVID-19 pandemic, testing-related requests and symptomatic presentations dominated, with many people seeking advice for fever, cough, fatigue and isolation management. Across all years, heat-related conditions are consistently common. We see significant sunburn, dehydration, headaches and heat exhaustion – with many patrons initially attributing symptoms solely to sun exposure. Being able to distinguish between sunburn, heat exhaustion and early heat stroke is a critical part of the role.
Other frequent presentations include viral infections, gastrointestinal upset, reflux and heartburn related to food and alcohol consumption – as well as general pain and discomfort from long days on site.
Overall, the role involves managing acute, short-term presentations in a high-heat, high-activity environment, where timely assessment, clear advice and appropriate escalation are essential.
What has been your best experience working at the AO?
The cumulative nature of the role over many years. Being invited back repeatedly reflects the value of having pharmacists in a high-profile, high-pressure environment.
But one particularly rewarding aspect has been the behind-the-scenes clinical role. While players rarely attend the pharmacy, their support staff and assistants frequently seek advice on their behalf. That often involves real-time discussions, sometimes over the phone, where clinical judgement, clarity and discretion are critical. The trust placed in pharmacists in those moments is significant.
Knowing that the advice provided may contribute, even in a small way, to a player’s comfort, recovery or ability to perform is professionally satisfying. It reinforces the role of pharmacists as accessible healthcare professionals who can deliver practical, timely support in environments where precision matters.
What are the most popular products with tennis fans?
Those that address the practical realities of spending long hours outdoors and walking significant distances, often in warm conditions.
Blister management products are consistently in high demand, particularly protective dressings and treatments for foot friction. Sun exposure also drives strong demand for post-sunburn and skin-soothing treatments, as well as products to manage heat-related discomfort.
Gastrointestinal support is another common category, with antacid and reflux treatments frequently requested, often related to food choices, heat and prolonged time on site.
Hydration support products are also very popular, particularly oral rehydration formulations for patrons experiencing fatigue, headaches or dehydration. Simple analgesics for pain and headache management are frequently requested as well.
‘Knowing that the advice provided may contribute, even in a small way, to a player’s comfort, recovery or ability to perform is professionally satisfying.'
deborah williams
And convenient nutritional snacks, particularly protein bars, are consistently popular, reflecting the need for quick, portable options that support energy levels throughout the day. Personal care essentials such as deodorant are also commonly requested, given the length and physical nature of the event.
Who is your favourite tennis player?
For many years my favourite player was Rafael Nadal. Beyond his extraordinary achievements on court, what stood out most was his character. He has a genuine never-say-die attitude, combined with humility and respect for everyone around him. Behind the scenes he was approachable, carried his own bags, acknowledged volunteers and staff, and treated people with quiet respect – which left a lasting impression.
More recently, I’ve really enjoyed watching Alex de Minaur. His speed, work rate and relentless court coverage are exceptional – and he brings an intensity and competitiveness that’s exciting to watch. He represents a very grounded, hardworking style of tennis that resonates strongly with Australian fans.
Do you have any tips for pharmacists working at the AO this summer?
Embrace the environment and enjoy the opportunity to practise pharmacy in a different setting. The atmosphere is energetic and positive, and people genuinely want your advice, making the role both enjoyable and rewarding.
From a professional perspective, be prepared to think beyond products. With a diverse, transient population, many interactions involve problem-solving rather than dispensing. That may mean offering practical health advice, directing people to appropriate medical services, or helping them navigate local healthcare options.
It’s also important to remember that you are representing both your profession and the event itself, so clear communication, professionalism and sound judgement matter. Finally, take the time to experience the event. Use breaks to watch some tennis or explore the precinct. Being part of the Australian Open is a unique opportunity, and enjoying the atmosphere helps you bring energy and perspective back into your role.
[post_title] => Pharmacy on centre court
[post_excerpt] => Limited medicines options and time-critical presentations push pharmacists at the Australian Open to practise at the top of their skills.
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[post_content] => The PSA congratulates Emeritus Professor Colin Burton Chapman and Dipak Sanghvi of Victoria on being appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) as part of the 2026 Australia Day Honours.
Emeritus Prof Colin Chapman has been recognised with the AM for significant service to pharmacy and pharmaceutical science research, education and practice.
Mr Sanghvi was recognised with the AM for significant service to community health through governance and board roles.
The PSA also extended its congratulations to Rhys Hollington London, Bruce Vincent Townsend, and Maurice Alan Renshaw on being awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).
Mr Hollington London has been recognised with the OAM for service to the community of Wynyard, Tasmania.
Mr Townsend was recognised with the OAM for service to the community of Raymond Terrace, NSW.
Mr Renshaw, also from NSW, was recognised with the OAM for service to the pharmaceutical industry.
The PSA National President Professor Mark Naunton MPS acknowledged the high honour of this recognition and thanked the recipients for their previous and ongoing contributions to the pharmacy profession.
‘It is evident that pharmacists play a vital role in their communities and the healthcare system. To have multiple pharmacists recognised on the prestigious Australia Day Honours List is a phenomenal outcome,’ Prof Naunton said.
‘On behalf of PSA and the pharmacy profession, I would like to extend my congratulations to Emeritus Prof Chapman, Mr Sanghvi, Mr Hollington London, Mr Vincent and Mr Renshaw on their well-deserved recognition.’
[post_title] => National recognition for pharmacists on Australia Day
[post_excerpt] => The PSA congratulates the pharmacists who were recognised as part on this year's Australia Day Honours List.
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[post_content] => Genevieve Adamo MPS did not set out to work in poisons information. After beginning her career in community pharmacy as an assistant pharmacist and progressing into management, Ms Adamo joined the New South Wales Poisons Information Centre in 2004.
‘I sort of fell into poisons,’ she said. ‘After having a few children, I had some time off and wanted to do something where I was learning again.’
Each call is different, providing a continuous learning opportunity, said Ms Adamo, who took on a role with the National Poisons Register in 2023.
‘You don’t know what you’re going to get at the end of the phone when you pick it up,’ she added.
Because so many of the calls to the poisons centre related to medicines poisoning, whether overdoses or errors, being a pharmacist is a distinct advantage.
‘We have really extensive knowledge of the drugs, as well as a really good base in physiology and pharmacology,’ Ms Adamo said.
[caption id="attachment_18818" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Genevieve Adamo MPS (Image: Steve Christo Photography)[/caption]
Here, she outlines what’s needed to enter and flourish in the space, as told to delegates at PSA’s Voices of Pharmacy – Passion, Purpose and Possibility webinar, held on 26 November 2025.
Core skills for poisons information practice
Poisons information demands a distinct skill set, combining deep scientific knowledge with the ability to work confidently under pressure. Calls are often urgent, information may be incomplete and decisions must be made quickly.
‘Every call provides a clinical problem that you’ve got to solve. Many of which there’s no clear answer,’ Ms Adamo said. ‘And we can't always look something up in a reference [because] not everything is listed there.’
Because it’s neither ethical nor feasible to conduct controlled trials in poisoning, evidence gaps are common.
‘We can’t go and poison a whole lot of people to create clinical trials to find the answers for poisoning questions. We have to wait until these situations happen and then turn those into research themselves,’ she said. ‘So because of that, we often have to go back to basics, and use those pharmacology principles we learned way back in uni.’
This includes:
‘You’ve got to get all the history, work out what you know, look things up and provide advice all within about 5 minutes.' Genevieve Adamo MPS‘We all have the ability to be involved in research, because we're recruiting patients through our calls,’ Ms Adamo said. ‘Our staff also create new guidelines for education and training, supporting both external poisoning prevention initiatives and the ongoing training of new and existing staff.’ Another major function is toxicovigilance – the systematic monitoring of poisoning trends with a focus on prevention and risk reduction. ‘That can involve all sorts of things [including] media and education,’ she said. ‘There’s often a lot of number crunching as well, and then working with regulators to change the laws to restrict access, because we know that one of the best ways to minimise harm and exposures is to restrict access.’ A key scheduling change Ms Adamo and her team were involved in was the changes to paracetamol regulations that were ushered in early last year. ‘We were contracted by the TGA to collect extra information about all the paracetamol calls we got,’ Ms Adamo said. ‘Paracetamol calls are the most common call to the poison centre every year, and all of that information was collated by our Head of Research and our consultant toxicologists – with the report used as the basis for the proposed scheduling changes that occurred.’ Sometimes individual cases can lead to broader system change. ‘I was involved in a case with a mum whose little one got really sick, and it was eventually worked out that it was a chronic choline salicylate toxicity,’ she said. ‘She couldn’t believe she’d been giving this poison to her kid and didn’t realise it was poisonous, because she bought it from [a supermarket] and thought it must be safe.’ In response, Adamo submitted an application to reschedule choline salicylate to Schedule 2. ‘Now it has to have more labelling, and it can only be available in a pharmacy,’ she said. ‘Those are the really interesting and rewarding aspects of poisoning work.’ For pharmacists considering the field, Ms Adamo believes the appeal lies in its tangible public health impact – shaping national safety standards and preventing future harm, particularly among children. ‘You know the work you’re doing actually changes outcomes.’ Read PSA’s Medicine Safety: Child and adolescent care report to understand the key poisoning risks and how pharmacists can help mitigate them. [post_title] => How pharmacists can prepare for poisons information roles [post_excerpt] => Poisons information pharmacists turn individual calls into population-level insights that inform regulatory and scheduling decisions. [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => how-pharmacists-can-prepare-for-poisons-information-roles [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2026-02-02 18:25:34 [post_modified_gmt] => 2026-02-02 07:25:34 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://www.australianpharmacist.com.au/?p=31254 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [title_attribute] => How pharmacists can prepare for poisons information roles [title] => How pharmacists can prepare for poisons information roles [href] => https://www.australianpharmacist.com.au/how-pharmacists-can-prepare-for-poisons-information-roles/ [module_atts:td_module:private] => Array ( ) [td_review:protected] => Array ( ) [is_review:protected] => [post_thumb_id:protected] => 31258 [authorType] => )
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[post_content] => Victoria Chisari MPS is an early career pharmacist and researcher on the move, working across clinical areas of practice to hone her skills.
What’s beneficial about learning different specialties in pharmacy?
Each specialty offers a unique focus, with the learning from each area building upon the others to create a comprehensive understanding of clinical pharmacy service delivery.
I am currently a clinical pharmacist with Western Sydney Local Health District and a research team member and practice change facilitator at the University of Technology Sydney. But I have worked in many different clinical roles. My experience in the intensive care unit, for example, helped develop my ability to review acutely unwell patients – including those with infections, trauma, respiratory failure and organ failure.
In this setting, I managed a diverse range of critically ill patients with complex medicines regimens – involving supportive therapies such as inotropes and vasopressors, sedation
and antimicrobials.
My practice involved designing individualised treatment plans for patients, particularly those receiving extracorporeal therapies such as renal replacement therapy and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.
This background informed my practice in the emergency department, where sound clinical reasoning was vital to delivering effective advice and interventions in fast-paced, high-
pressure situations.
Can you describe your global research review of pharmacist-prescribed contraception services?
In response to barriers accessing contraception, such as the need for a prescription, pharmacist-prescribed contraception has been widely implemented and one common model of care delivers this service using clinical protocols. The review highlighted that the overall scope of these services includes both the prescribing (initiating) and continuation of various contraceptive methods, such as oral contraceptive pills, vaginal rings, transdermal patches and injections. A key finding was that the scope of practice varies internationally, depending on local authorisation and regulatory frameworks.
It was recognised that while conceptually, the clinical protocol is one part of the intervention, education is another important part of the overall provision of care.
This includes recognition of the importance of both foundational education and additional training for pharmacists.
It was evident that authorising pharmacists to prescribe and continue a range of contraception options ultimately offers the best access for women.
At the same time, pharmacist education and training is an important part of the broader piece in pharmacist prescribing – particularly in the current Australian context, as pharmacist prescribing continues to develop and expand.
Your advice for other early ECPs interested in clinical pharmacy?
Seek out opportunities to broaden your knowledge and skills.
If you’re a pharmacy student or ECP interested in hospital pharmacy, look for courses, mentorship programs and professional development opportunities that align with your goals.
Hospital pharmacy is dynamic, exciting and rewarding – there’s a lot to learn and a lot that we as pharmacists can contribute to.
Ask questions and say yes to challenges that push you to grow. Be curious, be kind and keep learning.
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[post_content] => Australia's Minister for Health has announced a National Medicines Record. What is it, and what will it achieve?
Medicine safety has long depended on pharmacists making critical decisions with incomplete information. As prescribing becomes increasingly fragmented across face-to-face care, telehealth and digital platforms, those gaps are widening – with serious consequences for patients.
Reforms announced by Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler this morning aim to address this issue, eventually leading to a National Medicines Record.
The announcement follows advocacy by Alison Collins after the death of her daughter Erin, who died in 2024 after being prescribed medicines through multiple digital health platforms without a complete view of her medical history.
Erin’s story
Erin was 24 years old and had been taking multiple medicines for her mental health. She had been hospitalised multiple times for problems stemming from medicine misuse and was placed on daily staged supply pickup of her medicines.
The hospital care teams were so concerned they placed multiple warning messages in her My Health Record. However, these warnings were not accessed by telehealth services or local pharmacies prior to her fatal overdose.
Erin’s case highlighted systemic vulnerabilities that pharmacists have warned about for years, particularly as digital prescribing expands faster than the safeguards designed to support safe, coordinated care.
The first step
Initially, the reforms would require all medicines information from online prescribers to be uploaded to My Health Record For pharmacists, this will make a fuller picture of all the medicines a patient has been prescribed more visible. This is critical given the increasing number of prescribers an individual may have with the rise of telehealth and condition-specific providers.
Under the proposed changes, medicines prescribed and dispensed through online platforms – including the clinical context for prescribing – would be made available through My Health Record. This is intended to help reduce the risk of medicine errors, adverse drug reactions and inappropriate use by ensuring healthcare professionals have access to more complete and timely information.
The path to a National Medicines Record
The reforms also commit the Government to designing and developing a National Medicines Record using existing digital health infrastructure, including electronic prescribing, the Active Script List and My Health Record.
While details are still emerging, the proposal has the potential to address a core challenge for pharmacists: how to identify and resolve medicines-related risks without a reliable, up-to-date picture of a patient’s full medicines history.
Welcoming the announcement, PSA National President Professor Mark Naunton MPS noted it aligns with the profession's long standing advocacy.
'Pharmacists have consistently sought better-connected digital health systems to improve patient safety with medicines. It’s something PSA has been advocating for over many years, including through our flagship medicine safety report series,” Prof. Naunton said.
'Access to a more complete and reliable medicines record has the potential to significantly improve patient safety and strengthen clinical decision-making.'
'The announcement is fully aligned with PSA’s ongoing advocacy to improve medicines safety systems and ensure pharmacists are supported as medicines experts across all settings of care,' he continued.
'PSA will engage in the consultation for these proposals and continue to work with the Government to support system improvements that make medicine use in Australia safer.'
A consultation period is now underway to guide the inclusion of medicines information from all online prescribers by default, with the first phase expected to be completed by December 2026. The Government has also flagged ongoing enhancements to the 1800MEDICARE app to support medicines management.
[post_title] => What a National Medicines Record might mean for patient safety and pharmacy practice
[post_excerpt] => Australia's Minister for Health has announced a National Medicines Record. What is it, and what will it achieve?
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[post_content] => Community pharmacist Deborah Williams reflects on 7 years working at the Chemist Warehouse Australian Open pop-up pharmacy, sharing what makes event-based practice unique, the presentations she sees most often, and why adaptability is essential outside the traditional pharmacy setting.
How is running a pop-up pharmacy at the Australian Open different from your day-to-day practice?
The pop-up pharmacy at the Australian Open (AO) differs from practising in a community pharmacy such as Eltham, primarily because of the tools and therapeutic options available.
At the AO, we don’t have access to Schedule 4 medicines, and there are even additional restrictions imposed on over-the-counter medicines by the tournament. Certain Pharmacist Only products we would routinely recommend in a community setting aren’t permitted, particularly medicines that may cause drowsiness or could be perceived as performance-enhancing. This significantly changes how symptom management is approached.
The patient demographic is also very different. We see a large number of international visitors and cruise passengers who may only be in Australia briefly and often present with immediate, short-term needs – for example, sleep disruption, pain, minor illness, dehydration or general discomfort after long travel. There are frequent situations where a medicine that would be clinically appropriate in a normal pharmacy setting simply isn’t an option at the AO, so you have to think laterally and focus on non-sedating, non-restricted alternatives and practical advice. The pop-up pharmacy also operates with a deliberately limited range selection, so you rely far more on clinical judgement, counselling and problem-solving than product depth.
Despite these constraints, the service has been extremely well received. In earlier years, many people were genuinely surprised that a pharmacy service was available at all, and the level of appreciation was very high. Over time, as the service has become established, patrons have come to actively expect that level of healthcare support onsite – which speaks to how valuable it has proven to be.
Ultimately, while the setting is very different, the core role remains the same: providing accessible, safe short-term healthcare support. At the AO, that simply requires a more adaptive and creative approach within tighter boundaries.
Why did you first put your hand up for this roster 7 years ago?
Largely because tennis is a big part of our family life. My two daughters are avid tennis players, and I’ve spent a lot of time travelling with them to tournaments – both around Australia and internationally. So the opportunity to be involved in the AO and to experience tennis from a different perspective was very appealing.
At the time, the chance to be part of a pop-up pharmacy within a major sporting event felt unique. Working in an environment where the energy is high and where people are genuinely excited to be there was a strong motivator. It also offered the opportunity to step outside the traditional four walls of community pharmacy and apply my skills in a different, fast-paced setting.
[caption id="attachment_31227" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Deborah Williams at the Chemist Warehouse Australian Open pop-up pharmacy[/caption]
I’ve previously worked as a pharmacist at other large-scale events, including the Grand Prix and the Colour Run, and I’ve always enjoyed that style of practice. You see different patient groups and presentations, and there’s a strong focus on immediate, practical healthcare support. Combining that type of work with a sport that’s already such a big part of my life made the AO an easy decision.
What are the most common presentations you deal with?
They vary from year to year, often reflecting broader environmental and public health factors.
In early years, respiratory presentations were prominent, with high demand for salbutamol due to smoke exposure following severe bushfires. During the COVID-19 pandemic, testing-related requests and symptomatic presentations dominated, with many people seeking advice for fever, cough, fatigue and isolation management. Across all years, heat-related conditions are consistently common. We see significant sunburn, dehydration, headaches and heat exhaustion – with many patrons initially attributing symptoms solely to sun exposure. Being able to distinguish between sunburn, heat exhaustion and early heat stroke is a critical part of the role.
Other frequent presentations include viral infections, gastrointestinal upset, reflux and heartburn related to food and alcohol consumption – as well as general pain and discomfort from long days on site.
Overall, the role involves managing acute, short-term presentations in a high-heat, high-activity environment, where timely assessment, clear advice and appropriate escalation are essential.
What has been your best experience working at the AO?
The cumulative nature of the role over many years. Being invited back repeatedly reflects the value of having pharmacists in a high-profile, high-pressure environment.
But one particularly rewarding aspect has been the behind-the-scenes clinical role. While players rarely attend the pharmacy, their support staff and assistants frequently seek advice on their behalf. That often involves real-time discussions, sometimes over the phone, where clinical judgement, clarity and discretion are critical. The trust placed in pharmacists in those moments is significant.
Knowing that the advice provided may contribute, even in a small way, to a player’s comfort, recovery or ability to perform is professionally satisfying. It reinforces the role of pharmacists as accessible healthcare professionals who can deliver practical, timely support in environments where precision matters.
What are the most popular products with tennis fans?
Those that address the practical realities of spending long hours outdoors and walking significant distances, often in warm conditions.
Blister management products are consistently in high demand, particularly protective dressings and treatments for foot friction. Sun exposure also drives strong demand for post-sunburn and skin-soothing treatments, as well as products to manage heat-related discomfort.
Gastrointestinal support is another common category, with antacid and reflux treatments frequently requested, often related to food choices, heat and prolonged time on site.
Hydration support products are also very popular, particularly oral rehydration formulations for patrons experiencing fatigue, headaches or dehydration. Simple analgesics for pain and headache management are frequently requested as well.
‘Knowing that the advice provided may contribute, even in a small way, to a player’s comfort, recovery or ability to perform is professionally satisfying.'
deborah williams
And convenient nutritional snacks, particularly protein bars, are consistently popular, reflecting the need for quick, portable options that support energy levels throughout the day. Personal care essentials such as deodorant are also commonly requested, given the length and physical nature of the event.
Who is your favourite tennis player?
For many years my favourite player was Rafael Nadal. Beyond his extraordinary achievements on court, what stood out most was his character. He has a genuine never-say-die attitude, combined with humility and respect for everyone around him. Behind the scenes he was approachable, carried his own bags, acknowledged volunteers and staff, and treated people with quiet respect – which left a lasting impression.
More recently, I’ve really enjoyed watching Alex de Minaur. His speed, work rate and relentless court coverage are exceptional – and he brings an intensity and competitiveness that’s exciting to watch. He represents a very grounded, hardworking style of tennis that resonates strongly with Australian fans.
Do you have any tips for pharmacists working at the AO this summer?
Embrace the environment and enjoy the opportunity to practise pharmacy in a different setting. The atmosphere is energetic and positive, and people genuinely want your advice, making the role both enjoyable and rewarding.
From a professional perspective, be prepared to think beyond products. With a diverse, transient population, many interactions involve problem-solving rather than dispensing. That may mean offering practical health advice, directing people to appropriate medical services, or helping them navigate local healthcare options.
It’s also important to remember that you are representing both your profession and the event itself, so clear communication, professionalism and sound judgement matter. Finally, take the time to experience the event. Use breaks to watch some tennis or explore the precinct. Being part of the Australian Open is a unique opportunity, and enjoying the atmosphere helps you bring energy and perspective back into your role.
[post_title] => Pharmacy on centre court
[post_excerpt] => Limited medicines options and time-critical presentations push pharmacists at the Australian Open to practise at the top of their skills.
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[post_content] => The PSA congratulates Emeritus Professor Colin Burton Chapman and Dipak Sanghvi of Victoria on being appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) as part of the 2026 Australia Day Honours.
Emeritus Prof Colin Chapman has been recognised with the AM for significant service to pharmacy and pharmaceutical science research, education and practice.
Mr Sanghvi was recognised with the AM for significant service to community health through governance and board roles.
The PSA also extended its congratulations to Rhys Hollington London, Bruce Vincent Townsend, and Maurice Alan Renshaw on being awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).
Mr Hollington London has been recognised with the OAM for service to the community of Wynyard, Tasmania.
Mr Townsend was recognised with the OAM for service to the community of Raymond Terrace, NSW.
Mr Renshaw, also from NSW, was recognised with the OAM for service to the pharmaceutical industry.
The PSA National President Professor Mark Naunton MPS acknowledged the high honour of this recognition and thanked the recipients for their previous and ongoing contributions to the pharmacy profession.
‘It is evident that pharmacists play a vital role in their communities and the healthcare system. To have multiple pharmacists recognised on the prestigious Australia Day Honours List is a phenomenal outcome,’ Prof Naunton said.
‘On behalf of PSA and the pharmacy profession, I would like to extend my congratulations to Emeritus Prof Chapman, Mr Sanghvi, Mr Hollington London, Mr Vincent and Mr Renshaw on their well-deserved recognition.’
[post_title] => National recognition for pharmacists on Australia Day
[post_excerpt] => The PSA congratulates the pharmacists who were recognised as part on this year's Australia Day Honours List.
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Australian Pharmacist is the official journal for Pharmaceutical Society of Australia Ltd.
